[February 27, 2013]CHICAGO -- Illinois Department
of Insurance Director Andrew Boron announced Monday that the
federally funded Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, or
IPXP, will no longer accept new enrollees after March 2 due to a
decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. IPXP
was set up as a transitional insurance program as a way for
uninsured Illinois residents with pre-existing conditions to have
health coverage until the federal Affordable Care Act becomes
effective on Jan. 1, 2014.

There are currently 3,360 Illinois residents enrolled under the plan
who will continue to retain their coverage through the end of 2013.
These IPXP enrollees, as well as the currently uninsured, will be
able to purchase health insurance coverage from the Health Insurance
Marketplace, formerly called Health Insurance Exchange, which will
be ready for open enrollment on Oct. 1.

"This means individuals
with pre-existing conditions that have not signed up for the IPXP
program by March 2 will have access to other options on Oct. 1,
through other federal programs or the State Comprehensive Health
Insurance Plan. It is important to note the State Comprehensive
Health Insurance Plan, or CHIP, will not suspend enrollment," Boron
said. "It is very good news that on Oct. 1 the Health Insurance
Marketplace will begin accepting applications for coverage that will
be effective Jan. 1, 2014."

On Jan. 1, when the federal Affordable Care Act becomes
effective, insurers will be prohibited from basing coverage or
pricing decision on a person's health status.

To provide transitional coverage until Jan. 1, the federal
government appropriated $5 billion to fund temporary high-risk pools
in each state. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
reports as of Dec. 31, 2012, almost half the funds had been spent.
To protect individuals currently enrolled in the plan, states are
instructed to stop taking new enrollees after March 2. Any
application received online or postmarked by that date will be
accepted. Online applications are available at
http://insurance.illinois.gov/IPXP/.

The mission of the Illinois Department of Insurance is to protect
consumers by providing assistance and information, by efficiently
regulating the insurance industry's market behavior and financial
solvency, and by fostering a competitive insurance marketplace. The
department assists consumers with all insurance complaints,
including health, auto, life and homeowner. Consumers who have
questions or concerns about their insurance may contact the
department's Consumer Division at
http://insurance.illinois.gov/ or call 866-445-5364.